Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances | The Patient Guide to Heart …

Your doctor usually can diagnose a cardiac rhythm disturbance based on your symptoms, medical history, risk factors, a physical exam, and with results from tests and procedures.

During a physical examination, your doctor will check your heart rate and rhythm, together with your pulse. If your doctor believes you may have a cardiac rhythm disturbance, he or she likely will order anelectrocardiogram(EKG) for confirmation.

There also is a more advanced version of an EKG where your doctor may ask you to wear an event (or Holter) monitor. This is a portable device that is the size of a smartphone or smaller and can be worn under clothing, similar to an exercise heart rate monitor. This device will relay information back to your doctor and identify any abnormal rhythms that might happen intermittently, but not all of the time. The monitor usually is worn for 24-48 hours to get the required information.

Your doctor also may recommend one or more of the following: echocardiogram (echo), chest x-ray, blood tests, stress test, and coronary angiography. For more information on these tests, visit our common diagnostic tests page. If your family doctor discovers the heart rhythm problem, you likely will be referred to a cardiologist (general heart specialist) or an electrophysiologist (heart rhythm specialist).

Together with you and your medical team, your doctor will determine the best treatment option based on your symptoms and test results.

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Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances | The Patient Guide to Heart ...